Maharaj bolsters Proteas’ grip on England

South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj struck twice as the Proteas strengthened their grip on the first Test against England at Lord’s on Friday.

Maharaj removed both struggling opener Zak Crawley (13) and Ollie Pope (five) on the third day to leave England 38-2 in their second innings -- still 123 runs behind the tourists -- at lunch on the third day.

Crawley was plumb lbw after missing a sweep, having been dismissed for nine in the first innings.

Pope, whose 73 was the lone fifty in England’s meagre first-innings 165, was then trapped lbw off the last ball of the session as he looked to work the ball legside, although it needed a South Africa review to overturn an original not out decision.

An elated Maharaj, brought on early as first change by captain Dean Elgar, went to lunch with superb figures of 2-6 from three overs.

Left-handed opener Alex Lees was 12 not out, although he should have been out for four when he edged Kagiso Rabada, only for Keegan Petersen, diving across from third slip, to drop a chance that seemed destined for Aiden Markram at second slip.

Earlier, Marco Jansen fell just short of a maiden Test fifty before Anrich Nortje added a useful 28 not out as South Africa were dismissed for 326 - a first-innings lead of 161 runs.